EPP strongly condemns military honours at Ratko Mladic funeral, warning Serbia's EU path is at risk

Speaking during a plenary debate in the European Parliament, MEP Davor Ivo Stier, the EPP Group spokesperson for Serbia, underscored that joining the EU requires adherence to core principles alongside technical compliance.

"EU membership is not just about meeting technical criteria. Above all, it implies sharing fundamental European values. The glorification of Ratko Mladic and the military honours rendered to him at the funeral can only damage Serbia's credibility and endanger its path towards the European Union,” Stier said.

Stier stressed that the issue carries both a human and a moral dimension, noting that a genuine relationship with the past cannot be built on denial, glorification, or the altering of historical facts.

“There is no true reconciliation without truth and respect for the victims. Glorifying Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal, does precisely the opposite. It deepens divisions, fuels historical revisionism, and undermines efforts to build lasting peace and reconciliation,” Stier stated, adding that the EPP Group expresses solidarity with the victims of genocide and war crimes.

The EPP Group is the largest political force in the European Parliament, holding 184 seats with members from all EU member states.

The debate in the European Parliament focused specifically on the glorification of the convicted war criminal, with parliamentarians voicing condemnation over the involvement of senior office-holders in the events.

Addressing the assembly, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos affirmed that addressing historical reality remains essential for integration.

“Europe will ask Serbia to face its history honestly, including its darkest chapters. I remain deeply convinced that Serbia's progress on the path to the European Union is in our mutual interest. The Commission will therefore continue to do everything in its power to support Serbia's European path,” Kos said.